Photo courtesy of Cottage Hill
Last year I took the kids on a tour of a home that was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak park, IL. They were fascinated and so was I. The designs and furnishings and wallpaper Oh My! It was a classic beauty. The wallpaper alone was enough inspiration for anybody.
While we were there, they had different demonstrations. One was about how easy it was to own hens for egg production and consumption...they had me at "hello", but my husband thought differently. Another vendor had a much easier idea that we could incorporate into our household; Recycled Newspaper Pots for planting seeds. Even the kids were able to try their hands at rolling up one of these ingenious earth-friendly pots. I found Lindy at Cottage Hill already had a fabulously laid out tutorial...so time to get ready for planting seeds indoors! All you will need is newspaper and a soup can. Lindy's tutorial uses tape to close the side and bottom of pot. I made a simple change so this was not necessary.
You are ready to add soil and seeds! Happy planting!
(Kiddos received sunflower seeds planted in recycled milk carton containers at the end of the tour!)
Was so happy to come across this link on Pinterest! I am always looking for ways to recycle more and to not spend so much on pre-made items. These will definitely take care of both those needs! I can't wait to start making these and get my seedlings started for this year's garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch!
Tracy
Thanks for stopping by Tracy. Pinterest rocks doesn't it!? Have fun making the pots!
Deletejust be sure you are using newsprint paper that have vegetable-based inks. most newspapers still use lead-base ink.
ReplyDeletecheers,
randall
to clarify, if you don't ever plan to eat what you are growing in those newspaper pots, leeched lead when watered newsprint might be fine. but then i start thinking about lead ink on little fingers that then go into little mouths... geez, i sound like such a doomsayer.
ReplyDeletetake care,
randall
Good point Randall. Luckily newspaper ink is almost entirely soy-based, and non-toxic! So nope, you are not a doomsdayer just thinking it all through. It is typically not bleached as well. Just be sure you are not using the colored comic pages or the glossy adds.
DeleteNewspaper ink is supposed to be plant based now and no lead.
ReplyDeleteYes you are right, they are typically soy based. Thanks for popping in!
DeleteTY for sharing this super earth friendly project. Can't wait to start making and planting with the kids
ReplyDeleteLove to hear you are involving the kids! Makes my heart swell :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOk, I am excited about this! I am a teacher and love to upcycle anything and everything! Can we make the pots ahead of time? So they are ready for transplanting? Also, how do they hold up.. Do they become flimsy? Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYes, you can make the pots ahead of time. You can put the whole thing in the ground when ready. They don't get too flimsy as long as it isn't over watered. Not sure what grade you teach, 4th graders shouldn't have a problem...but my first grade boy would water until there is a moat :)
DeleteOne question, whenever your seedlings have grown & you plant these paper pots in the ground, do they have any trouble rooting through the paper?? I ask because I've always heard of using newspaper as a weed deterrent in your flower beds under the mulch. Any thoughts??
ReplyDeletei think that you would have to take the seedlings out of the newspaper, as it is often used for ground cover/weed paper.
DeleteThat's what I was thinking too but I've read where people say to put the paper pot in the ground...??
DeleteI have not taken them out of the pots...put it all in the ground. I haven't had any trouble with plants rooting. Not good for carrots though :) I've used newspaper as a weed deterrent, but many layers of it and it still didn't last all summer before breaking down. Thanks for the question!
Deletei think that you would have to take the seedlings out of the newspaper, as it is often used for ground cover/weed paper.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any issues with the newspaper tearing or falling apart?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any issues with the newspaper tearing or falling apart?
ReplyDeleteNo, as long as you don't over saturate it. It does get a bit soft, but perfect for transplanting!
DeleteAwesome! I will ne making these this weekend.
DeleteThese are great. As far as weed deterrent, I've discovered that corrugated cardboard works great. I pick up boxes every time I'm at the grocery store. I had "Bishops Weed" in my flower garden and it's very invasive -- it comes through everything but solid black plastic which I didn't want to use. Cardboard was the only thing that kept it down -- although even then it found the seams and came up there until I doubled up on the edges. My whole summer was weed free. I can't wait to put it in all of my problem areas this summer.
ReplyDeleteWow wow, great idea. I haven't thought of that. I look forward to trying that this summer. We have plenty of extra boxes in the garage.
DeleteI like the idea ..:)
ReplyDeletehow long will it last before the newspaper falls apart from most .
Bea
Bea, you shouldn't have to worry about the paper falling apart as long as you don't overwater. It only begins to break down after its planted.
DeleteYou couldmalwaysmjust open up the bottom of the pot, if you are worried about e roots...
ReplyDeleteWe did these a couple years ago...great job, and your seedlings look terrific!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you place these while waiting for transplanting outside? Inside another container of some sort? Sorry I'm a bit naive with all this starting early.. I usually just go by some pretty plants and stick them in the ground and hope for the best.. Lol!
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm getting back to you late, your comment went to spam :( I use the plastic lid of shoebox containers or the big rubbermaid tote lids. You could also use a shoebox lined with aluminum foil or use a plastic baggie from the grocery store as a liner too.
DeleteHi :) Came to your blog via Pinterest. LOVE the idea of the newspaper pots and my husband and I are going to make some tonight! Thanks again! Now a completely random question. I checked out your Etsy store as well, darling! I was just wondering where you had your 'Garden of Eden Goods' tags done? I am looking to have some made as well and have had trouble tracking them down. Thanks a bunch! :) Once again, your blog is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I used JennifersJewels on Etsy. Here is the link to my invoice page from her - http://www.etsy.com/transaction/34384186
DeleteOh yay! Thanks! :)
DeleteHave you tried smaller or larger pots with the newspaper? And what would be too many layers? About how many sheets. We are pretty new to starting our own seeds.
ReplyDeleteI tried this and it is working well so far-- I put them in plastic storage containers (drawer dividers) so I can water them without them dumping over or leaking out. I also used clothes pins to label what I planted so that I could easily attach to each little container.
ReplyDeleteSo glad these are working out for you!
DeleteMay I use your picture of the newspaper pots for a display that would be used while I am teaching at WIC Clinics? I work for UW-Extension as a Nutrition Program Coordinator and am creating a display of simple ideas families can use to grow their own fruits and vegetables. theresa.wimann@ces.uwex.edu re:http://www.gardenofedengoods.com/2011/03/recycled-newspaper-pots.html
ReplyDeleteYou can use any of the pictures except for the top one. That picture is courtesy of cottage Hill.
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